ISSN(Online) : 2319-8753 ISSN (Print) : 2347-6710 International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology (An ISO 3297: 2007 Certified Organization) Vol. 5, Issue 7, July 2016 Copyright to IJIRSET DOI:10.15680/IJIRSET.2016.0507003 12018 Statistical Analysis of Forms of Phosphorus in Aquatic Sediments -Case of the Main Rivers in the area of Meknes (Morocco)- Hind Omari 1 , Adil Lammini 1 , Ali Dehbi 1 , Abdelaziz Abdallaoui 2 * PhD Student, Analytical Chemistry and Environment Team, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco 1 Professor, Analytical Chemistry and Environment Team, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco 2 ABSTRACT: For a contribution to the study of the water quality of the Meknes region, we realized samples of surficial sediments at the level of the main wadis of this region in four different seasons. The results of the study of different phosphorus fractions of studied sediments have been the subject of a principal component analysis (PCA). This statistical method allowed us to identify the principal relationships between forms of phosphorus and showed that the increase in total phosphorus content (P tot ) of the studied sediments is primarily caused by increased levels of inorganic forms of phosphorus {Fe (OOH)-P} and CaCO 3 -P}. Furthermore, for having the relationship between the sampling periods, sampling stations and forms of phosphorus, we performed a factorial correspondence analysis (FCA), as well as the hierarchical ascendant analysis (HAC), which helped to classify the individuals with similar behaviour in three different classes. Indeed, the factorial correspondence analysis is a method that can be combined to the HAC because they use the same distance between individuals. The FCA has not only allows to classify individuals but has allows us also the identification of the homogeneous groups. The HAC using the same distance as that the FCA allows us to clarify the contours of homogeneous classes. KEYWORDS: Sediment, Forms of phosphorus, Statistical analysis, PCA, FCA, HAC. I. INTRODUCTION The city of Meknes is situated in the northern part of Morocco; it is the second city of the plain Sais after the city of Fez. It is one of the most important agriculture regions of the Kingdom and is home every year since 2006, “The International Agriculture Show in Morocco”. The intensification of industrial and agricultural activities as well as the rapid increase in the population of this city, leads to serious problems in the natural environment [1], and generate pollutants such as phosphorus that can affect the physicochemical and biological quality from the aquatic environment. Furthermore, the sediment has the ability to store phosphorus in abundance in different forms. This sediment load can be put into solution under specific physicochemical conditions such as pH and redox potential which affect the mobility of phosphorus [2]. That sometimes poses serious problems with regard the waters quality of these rivers. The main objectives of this study are the determination of the main correlations that might exist between the forms of phosphorus, and the establishment of relations between the stations (space), and forms of phosphorus (variables), and also the identification of homogeneous groups (individuals classes).